Sunday Six Pack: Week Six

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We’re with you every Sunday to provide the Sunday Six Pack, an article featuring six of the biggest storylines heading into each and every week of the season. Keeping tabs on these events will keep you prepared and informed throughout the season – just don’t drive within six hours of reading this.

Can #1) Private Eyes are Watching Sanu

They see his every move.  With stud wide receiver Adriel Jeremiah Green unlikely to suit up for the Bengals’ Week six tilt with the Panthers and their decimated defense, draftnik’s delight Marvin Jones still nursing an ankle injury, Tyler Eifert on injured reserve (designated to return) and Jermaine Gresham still being Jermaine Gresham, preseason afterthought Mohamed Sanu steps into the limelight.  Sanu is not only the PPR WR27 heading into week six, but is also the NFL leader in yards per passing attempt at 34.0 (2/2 for 68 yards and 1 TD) if you eliminate any qualification minimums.  He also leads the league in quarterback rating at a perfect 158.3.  In any event, Sanu will step into WR1 duties and should see enough targets to qualify as a high-end WR3 with upside this week. Also expect to a heavy dose of Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill.

Can #2) Logan’s Run

Welcome humans!  I am ready for you.  Carson Palmer’s malfunctioning nerve and Drew Stanton’s concussion have thrust rocket armed rookie quarterback Logan Thomas into the starting lineup against the Redskins shaky defense in Week six.  In relief of Stanton last week, Thomas did nothing to shake the criticism that he is inaccurate by completing just one of his eight passing attempts (although the one [inlinead]completion was a ball that Andre Ellington took 81 yards to the house).  Thomas has approximately zero touch on his ball (Larry Fitzgerald said that “his ball changes the direction of the wind”) and the velocity of this throws combined with his inaccuracy might get someone on the sidelines or in the stands seriously injured.  Unfortunately, Michael Floyd or Larry Fitzgerald owners looking for a breakout game against the Redskins have been placed on a one-way train to Disappointment City.  Look for the Cardinals to rely on Ellington more than ever this week.

Can #3) A Forte Runs Through It

The Lord has blessed us all today… It’s just that he has been particularly good to me. With the “it” being the Atlanta Falcons’ 28th ranked rushing defense that is giving up an average of 147.6 yards per game Matt Forte is ranked 8th in the league with 319 rushing yards, and while his 3.9 yards per carry is largely a product of the offensive line injuries that the Bears have endured, the danger to the Falcons doesn’t just begin with a handoff.  Heading into Week six, Forte is second in the league with 36 receptions, just four behind league leader Julio Jones.  With defenses paying attention to the unholy trio of Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett, Forte has made a living catching balls underneath, which has made him the number two PPR RB through five weeks.  With Forte getting to play Atlanta and number one PPR RB DeMarco Murray travelling to Seattle, Forte will have a great opportunity to significantly close that gap this week.

Can #4) Sammy Checks In To Revis Island

Welcome to Revis Island!  With neckbeard aficionado Kyle Orton under center last week, Sammy Watkins saw his highest targeted day of the season last week, and was more efficient with them than he had been the previous two weeks.  Watkins caught seven of his 12 targets for 87 yards against the Lions, solidifying his status as a high-end WR3 with upside.  He’s the PPR WR25 through five weeks.  But now he gets a trip to Revis Island against the Patriots in week six.  Darrelle Revis held AJ Green in check on Sunday night (Green’s 35 yard touchdown came one play after Revis briefly left the game with a leg injury).  As a result, Watkins will have a lower floor than usual this week.  It might be the prudent play to sit him this week if you have other, more reliable, WR3 options.

Can #5) Shelter from the Storm

Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn? Colossal disappointment Toby Gerhart has been ruled out of Jacksonville’s week six game against the Titans with an aggravation of the foot sprain that he suffered in week five leaving rookie Storm Johnson as the Jags’ likely early down back.  While the Titans rank just 26th against the run giving up an average of 136.8 rushing yards per game, they have faced the second, fourth and seventh best rushing attacks in the NFL in three of their five games so far (Cowboys, Browns and Chiefs).  And even factoring in their other two opponents, the Colts and Bengals, they have not faced an offensive line as offensive as the one that resides in North Florida.  The Jaguars are 31st in the league in rushing, averaging just 67 yard per game and are the only team that has played five games to run the ball under 100 total times (the Broncos [99] and the Raiders [72] have already had their bye weeks).  It’s hard to get excited about Johnson, who will likely lose passing down work to Denard Robinson and Jordan Todman anyway, as anything more than an extreme desperation play this week.

Can #6) The Sporanos

Don’t stop believing.  Actually, Raiders fans can probably stop believing at this point.  At least until they get someone competent to make their player personnel decisions.  The Raiders seem less Sopranos and more Bad News Bears at this point, but, unfortunately for the Silver and Black faithful, Tony Sporano is no Walter Matthau. He wants to run the ball more (not surprising for a guy that’s best suited to be an offensive line coach).  The Raiders are averaging a league-worst 61.5 yards rushing per game so far and their 3.4 yards per carry average ranks 28th.  It’s hard to predict with any certainty what Sporano will do, but if I was forced to start a Raiders running back this week, I’d go with Darren McFadden who has carried the ball 151 times compared against eleven for Maurice “No Knees” Jones-Drew and just four for Latavius Murray.  The Chargers, however, are ranked ninth against the run so far, giving up just 96 yards per game.  They are also ranked second against the pass, allowing just 194.8 yards per game through the air, so the going won’t be easier for WR4-at-best candidates James Jones and Andre Holmes this week either.

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